Research Sows
Animals and facilities
The SFR sow herd consists of 240 breeding sows (Yorkshire Z x Finnish Landrace) and 20 pure Finnish Landrace sows, that are inseminated with Finnish Landrace boar for own replacement. The gestation sows are individually housed in 188 pens. The farrowing pens are set up conform practice, but with a special feeder. To benefit research a 1 week system is used. In 2011-2012 pig facilities are rebuild and the sow herd will be extended to 350 sows. In the new facilities the gestation sows will housed in group-housing with feeding stations. With those feeding stations it is still possible to feed the sows in group housing different types of feed (maximum 6). In 2010 the sows weaned 28.9 piglets/sow/year (weaning age 28 days)
Type of research
Below the possibilities for research are described.
Production trials
Objective
Determine the effect of for example:
- Feed composition
- Additives
On among others:
- Performance
Trial set up
Sow trials can be done in all stages of the cycles; gestation, lactation, interval weaning –oestrus and a combination of all. Depending on the expected effect 2 to 6 treatments with 20-40 sows per treatment can be selected. Sows are allocated to treatments according to parity. It is also possible to perform registration trials conform EU standards.
Standard observations
- Feed intake sow
- Weight and backfat development sow
- TB, LB, DB
- Individual growth piglets
- Creep feed intake per litter
- Mortality
We like to consult you on further possibilities
Digestibility trials
Objective
Determine the effect of for example:
- Feed composition
- Additives
On among others:
- Faecal digestibility coefficients
Trial set up
The faecal digestibility can be determined in gestation and lactation sows. The protocol used for the digestibility trials is based on the standard CVB protocol for digestibility studies in pigs. To determine the faecal digestibility HCL insoluble ash or TiO2 are used as indigestive markers. Depending on the expected effect 2 to 6 treatments with 20 sows per treatment can be selected. Sows are allocated to treatments according to parity.
Standard observations
- Feed intake sow
- Weight and backfat development sow
- Digestibility coefficients
We like to consult you on further possibilities